The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-27
MONASTERIES IN INDIANA
Work of the Friars in the franciscan
Convent Located in This City.
Habits and Dress CT the Modern Monks-The
Monasteries at st. Meinrad, Oldenburg and
Fort Wayne-Nuns in Indiana.

were
part of toe city. the other day. His companion
looked up, Bnd saw of the Franciscan ia
Tiers passing He looks like a regular monk.
continued the speaker.
Chats nothing strange" reioined the other.
considering that he is one"
"How does he happen to be herel WHO'S heF.
HHs lives herein that big building over
there on Palmer street. which is the Franciscan
convent. He is Father Alexis; and very ge-
NAL. intelligent gentleman you will find him.
except. possibly, that he is trife too religious
to suit your tastes"
"And now will you tell me how monk hap
pens to be living in a CONVENT
Certainly; the restriction OF the word con-
rent to the sgnifcation of a residence for female
recluses is an almost universal error among
Protestants. In Roman Catholic nomencla-
tu-e a nunnery is institute" or ''institu-
tion," always A great many ofsthe houses for
monks especially of the Franciscan order, are
called converts. This one is the Conventus
Sarctissimi Cords Jesu or Convent of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus OF course in this country you
often hear Catholics spak of nunneries
converts. and usage has made it proper, but
VII en- you go to the Latin. which is the universal
language of the Church. think you will not
find one of them entitled conventus."
ssDo these priests live like the monks we read
about in books2"
'tNot exactly. You will find few il any,
monks who live as described in Protestant books.
or so far as that is concerned, in ordinary Cath
Ollie books, either. But they are not all priests.
The clergy of the Catholic Church are divided
into two classes-regular and secular. The
word regular in this connection, has its origi-
nal restricted sense, which is according to rule;
that is to say the clergy of that class take vows
to live in q certain manner, as prescribed by
the rules of some order, throughout life. The
minor details of life OF this class regulated
by the superior in charge. whom they are bound
to obey in such matters. The regulars are
either priests. who are commonly called fathers.
Or lay bro thers who usually called brothers.
At this convent there are five fathers and SIX
brothers, and because their number is
charge of this parish of the Sacred Heart, which
contains nearly 400 Catholic families, they do
not have much OF a routine existence as IS
usual in monasteries- They follow, however, IN
n common-sense way. the rule of ST. Francis. OF
Assist, the founder of the order. which was Ora
ct labora'-pray and Notwithstanding the two
continuously in waking hours. They also lay
much costume. They all wear san
dals, such you noticed and the gIrdle OF cord
q quarter to q half inch N diameter. This
last lie perhaps the best distinguishing mark of
the order, and is what gave them the name
Cordeiers in France. The shape of the cowl
has been subject of much controversy. each
style was the one used by ST. Fran
els The capuchin monks oni broke
and adopted the long, pointed cowl, which gave
them their name The color OF the habit has
also been fruitful subject of controversy and
separation. These monks brown. They
are Germans. In England and Ireland the Fran
ciscans wear gray. and commonly called
Gray Friars. Another branch, called Conven-
tuas. black. Each claims to follow the
color by St Francis, but, as with most
denomnational differences. I think that all are
right and AL are wrong. So far as history re-
vess he paid no attention whatever to the color or
his habit, but was careful to have IL made OF the
coarsest material, and usually eewed 1t with
pack-rhreae. He gave all his goods to the
church and became a men6cant, but in this
capacity he used often to give his robe to some
poor person and trust to Providence for another.
From the very nature OF such lie ne couio not
always have had the same color and style OF
clothing
at seems odd to find in Indiana members of
IN ancient organization like that following the
habits and customs of centuries ago."
Eyes it does, but it is really stranger that
you do not find of them. Franciscan
priests were among the first white men who ever
same to this part of the country. Father
Membre was Franciscan, so was Father Henne-
pin, and so were all the other priests called
'Recolects' who mentioned often in our
early history The case of the Jesuts is much
more remarkable. Marquette. Allouez and many
others of the early explorers were Jesuits. The
French missions the Wabash were Jesuit
missions. Father Gibault who rendered such
effective aid to Gen. George Rogers Clark was
Jesuit And yet there is not Jesuit IN Indiana
today. On the other hand. there are many
more members of monastic orders in Indiana
than the average citizen has any idea Of"
Where are theyf'
eeses in Indiana. FIT WAYNE and Vincennes, d.
vided by the north lin of Marion and the other
counties of the tier in which it lies. In the form
sr, there are sixty nine. in the latter one hun
dred and three secular priests. These are the
Dnes that perform most OF the ministerial duties,
that mix with the world, have charge of church
- I'D 4hn Nhor 1lopS do
some OF this work, but not so much There are
four monastic houses, in the diocese of Fit.
Wayne and three in the diocese OF Vincennes.
Of the latter the Franciscans have two. the one
here and one at Oldenburg. in Franklin county.
There four fathers and eight brothers at
Olden burg. They do parishional work IN the vi
cinity of their houses. Three of the fathers
here visit small towns in the neghborhood
Sundays and hold services there. The most I'M
porrant monastery, however, IS the Abbey of st.
Meinrad. in Spencer county. belonging the
Order of ST. Benedict. This is one of the
oldest of the orders. Il was founded
more than thirteen hundred years ago. 1t was
of the last however, to be introduced into the
United States. Their first house in this country
founded in 1876 This one in Indiana was
established in 1852 by Swiss monks from the
ancient abbey of Einsedln- The building burned
six seven weeks ago, and was total loss.
Catholic Church property is usually insured, but
this was not, and SO the order is out about
$500 000 Preparations for rebuilding have be-
gun already: There seventeen fathers
aud thirty nine brothers at this point The in
stitution was maintained by conducting large
farm, a college. and a theological seminary.
There are also eleven priests who belong to this
monastery that are In charge of parish churches
in the vicinity, and fourteen fathers and six
brothers who en- gagged in missionary work
among the Indians of Dakota. Martin Marty.
who was the first abbot of St Meinrad,
Catholic bishop of Dakota. and has q national
reputation for his work among the Indians.
St Meinrad is governed by a mitred
abbot who has the same powers as the
abbots of the old country. The present abbot
is the Right Reverend Fintan Mund wiler. The
monks of this order wear black gown, with
cowl. They wear common shoes, and usually
have long boards There is mother community
at Indianapolis that should be mentioned-the
Brothers of the Sacred Heart They have
convent iust back of ST. Patricks Church, where
fifteen of them reside. They all lay broth
ers. and are engaged in teaching in parochial
schools. They have charge of St. Johns and
St. Patrick's boys schools here. These Broth